Golf club



8- 1927 G. BARNHART GOLF CLUB F'il9d Ost. 14, 1926 INVEN TOR. GEORGE 5534R/V/14RT By TTRNPV Patentetl Aug. 16, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. BABINHAJBT, IEABADENA, OALIIOBNIA.

GOLF CLUB.

Application filed October 14, 1926. Berta! In. 141,844.

My invention relates to golf clubs, more part1cularl to means 0f securing the shafts 01 golf clu%s to the heads thereof.

In golf lubs now in use, the shafts are 5 made of wood as well as of steel tubing.

Although the golf Clubs with wooden handles rovide great6r flexibility and resiliency 0th longitudinally and torsionally, the same break frequently at the portions di- 10 rectly secured to the lwads. Steel 0r other metal shafts, although more durable, also break frequently at the portions secured 120 the heads. Steel o1 other metal shafts, as heretofore constructed, provide less longitudinal flexibility than W0oden shafts and very little torsional flexibility und resilienc 1%1e objects of my present invention am: first. t0 provicle a sbeel shaft for golf clubs which will have the torsional flexibility and resiliency 0f the wooden shaft of golf clubs and still h:we durability superior to the conventional steel shaft; second, tq provide a golf club having a steel shaft in Which the shaft is secured als its extreme end to the head of the Club and reinforced intermediate its ends near its secured end in the form of a pivot means adapted t0 take the initial bending moment und considerably relieve the danger of breaking 0f the shaft from the head immecliately at fhe secured portion; third, to provide a shaft f0r golf clubs whi'ch is provided intermediate its ends with longitudinal slots for weakening the shaft ab one portion t0 permit greater flexibility in twisting and longitudinal bending, a.s well as' to provide greater torsional and longitudinal resiliency; fourth, to provide a golf club having a, long ferrule provided 40 with a recesserl portion at its interior und intermediate its ende. und a fulcrum or bearing portion in its interior and outwardly from the recessed portion, tl1e shaft of the club extending through the ferrule and securecl t0 the head at the base of the ferrule, the fulcrum 0r bearin portion providing minforcement for sai shaft und fulcrum means for longitudinal bending, and said recessed portion providing clearance for the bent shaft within the ferrule; fifth,

to provide novel, elficient and economical means for repairing old golf clubs und transformin old clubs inbo new b merely cutting ofi' t e shank from the old ead und welding, brazing, soldering or otherwise securing a special ferrule tlwreto; sixth, to provide a steel shaft which may be slotted longitudinally to any desired degree to provide any desired flexibility und resiliency; seventh, to provide a golf club of this dass whereby tlu= shock often' imparted through the shaft t0 the hands cf the player, will be reduced to a minimum; und, e1ghth, to provide as a whole a novel means 0f securin a shaft 170 the head of a golf club, provi ing a simple und efllcient club und one Which will nbt readily deteriorate or get out 0f Order.

With these andother objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction combination und arran ement of parts und portions, as will be ereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings und to the characters of reference thereon which for'm a art 0f this application in which:

igure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the head end 0f a metal head golf Club, showing certain parts ai1d port1ons thereof broken away and in section to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 2 is a. transverse sectional view of the ferrule und sl xaft taken through 22 cf Fig. 1; Fig.'3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevational view of a slightly modified form of securing the ferrule und shaft to the head of a golf club; und, Fig 4 is a fragmentarz sectional elevational view taken throu the 90 s ightly median line of the club, showing a. difierent means of construction.

Like charactefs'of reference refer similar parts und portions throughout the Several views of the drawings.

The golf clubs illustrated in Fi 1 und 3 of tl1e drawings show the clu reconstructed from conventional clubs. The head, indicated by 1 in Fig. 1, is provided in the conventional club W11;h an outwardly end of the shank und at the ofiset ortion B thereof, is positioned the base end f --portion at t the tubular ferrule 2. This ferrule 2 may be bra.zed soldered, o1 welded t0 the head member 1. 1

The ferrule 2 may be tapered to smaller dimensions toward its upper end to reduce weight und also provide for greater flexibility. The interior 0f the ferrule 2 is provided with a. bore 2*considerably larger than the diameter of the shaft 3 extending therethrough, said bore extending upwardly at s11bstantinllg 1 the same diameter as the ofi'set e upper end of the shank of the hea.d member. The upper end of the bore of the ferrule, indioated by 2", is considerably constricted and loosely engages the rod 0r shaft 3 Several inches from its lower end for reinforcing the shaft. Seid constricted ortion 2" of the bore 0f the ferrule is also rounded und tapers divergently oncurved lines toward the upper end of the ferrule, as shown. Thus, when the shaft 3 is bent, the same will bend about the ortion 2 which serves es a fulcrum and Will bend slightly, but uniformly, from its lower end to the fulcrum ortion 2*. The bte 2 permits cousidera le bending of the shaft The lower end of the shaft 3 may be variously secured to the head member in a central recess 1' in the shank thereof, such .as by pouring molten brass, 01' other metal into the hole in which %1 e sl11aft is positioned, a.s indicated by 4 in The shaft 3, shown in the drawings, is gnade of ta ered steel tubing and is pr'vi%;ad m 1ts Wal s at the portion positioned e tween the upper end of the shank 0f the head member and the constricted ortion of the ferrule with longitudinal slots 3. Said slots are adapted to weaken the shgnft at seid por ti0n to such an extent es to provide torsional flexibility to any desire'ad degree as well as to increase its longitudinal flexibility. By such slotting, the torsional und IOng1tndinal resiliency is also increased. Si1ch flexibility und res1liency may be varied by increasing or decreasing the number und size of the lon 'tudinal slots in the shafthe structure shown in Fig. 3 is substantially the same, as that illustrated in l, ex :ept that the upper end cf the shan o f the head member and the base rtion of the ferrule are beveled, as indicate res ectively 'by 1" and 2, so that the two meml?ers may be readily welded together und tothe inner end of tl1e shaft.

It will be here noted that insteed oi constructing the head member 1 and the fex'rule 2 in se arate pieces, as statd the same may be ma e integrally, if desired.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings, the head momber l and the ferrule 2 are shown as of integral construction With the space between T the large bore 2 und the shaft filled with lead, 0r other deadening material 5. It will be noted in this construction, the shaft 3 may be provided with its smallest diameter some distance from its inner end, as indicated by 3", so that the lead o1 other mate rial 5 may readily retain the shaft in position.

In Fig. 4 0f the drawings, the inner encl of the shaft may be secured, if desired, to the head member in any suitable manner, such es by the pouring of molten brass 4 around the inner end of the shaft within the inwardly gonvrging recess and througl1 a hole from the outside of the head member. It will be noted if the shaft 3 is secured to the head member at its inner end as stated, or by any other means, the lead m othenmetal or material 5 may be eliminated.

By either 0f the last mentioned constructions greater flexibility is obtained than by rigidly secnring the outer end of the ferrule to the shaft, as in conventional constrnction. Also, by the former construction, in which lead is used for securing the shaft within the ferrule, the shock is somewhat deadened by the lead 01' other maberial 5.

Though I have shown und described a particular construction, combination a.nd a1- mngement of arts and portions, and certain modificat1ons thereof, I du not wish to be limited to this particular construction, com

bination and arrangement, nor to the modifications, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination und arrangement substantially a Set forth in the appended claims.

Havin thus described my invention, what I c a.im a.s new und desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a golf Club, a head member provided with a long ferrule, und a metallic shaft secured 130 sa1d head member at the base cf said ferrule, the ortion f seid shaft exteriding outwardly from the ase of seid ferrule being yieldably positioned within seid ferrule to ermit longitudinal twisting of said shaft wit inthe same.

2. In a golf olub, a head member prov1ded with a long ferrule, end a metall1c shaft secuxed to seid head member at the base of' si1id ferrt'1le, the interior cf seid ferrule near the outer end thereof being provided with epivot portion, the g 0rtion of said shaft extendin outwardlg 0m the base cf said fexrule sing yiel ably ositioned within the same und permitte to band abont the pivotal ortion of the ferrule.

3. In a go f clnb, a head member having a ferrule, said ferrule being undercut in metal shaft secured to said head member at the base end of said ferrule und permitted to freely move within said ferrule outwardly from its securedend.

4, In a golf club, a head member having a long ferlule, said ferrule being undercut in its interior und intermediate its ends, and a,

1FT metal shaft secured to said'head member at the base end of said ferrule, the interior of said ferrule, outwardly from said undercut portion, serving as a pivot for said shaft when being bent longitudinally, the undercut portion of said ferrule clearing the bent oflset of said shaft.

5. In a golf olub a headmember having a long ferrule, said ferrule being under cut in its interior and intermediate its ends, und a metal shaft secured to said head member at the base end of said ferrule, said shaft being provided at the end ositioned within said ferrule with longitudmal slots whereby said shaft is weakened to permit axial twisting and longitudinal bending, and also to cause greater torsional and longitudinal resiliency.

6. In a, golf club a head member having a long ferrule, said fenule being under vut in its interior and intermediato its ends and a metal shaft secured t-o said head membe at the base end of said ferrule said shaft be 1ng provided at the end positioned within sa1 d ferrule with longitudinal slots whereby sa1d shaft is weakened to permit axial twist- 1ng and longitudinal bending, and also to ca u 1se greater torsional und longitudinal reslllency the interior of said fernule outwardly from said under cut portion serving as a, pivot for longitudinal bending of said shaft and for relieving the strain on the end of said shaft direc'tly seoured to said head member.

7. In a golf olub, a head member having a lang ferrule, the interior of said ferrule intermediate the outer und base ends thereof bein9; recessed for clearance, und a metal shaft extending int o saidderrule with its one end und secured at said end to said head member at the base of said ferrule, tl1e outer portion of the bore of said ferrule, outwardly from said recessed portion being of substantiall the same diameter as tho corresponding opposite portion of said shaft.

8. In a golf club, a head member having a long ferrule, the interior of said forrule intelmediate the outer und base ends thereof being 'recessed for clearance, und a metal shaft extending into said ferrule with its one end anti secured at said end to said head member at the base of said ferrule, tl1e outer portion of the bore of said ferrule outwardly from said recessed portion, boing of substantxully the Same diameter as tl1e correspondmg opposite portion of said shaft, said bore being tapered outwardly in grudual curves providing u curved bending fulcrum for said shaft at a spaced diStance from its secured end.

9. In a golf club, a head member having a short slmnk und a recess in its end, a shaft extended with its one end into the rocess of the sl1ank of suid hoad lnember and engaging the Walls of the recess, und a tubular ferrule positionod around said end of the sl1aft und secured at its one end t o the end of the slmnk olf' said head member.

10. In a golf club, a, head member having a short shank and a recoss in its end, a shaft extended'with its one end into tl1e recess of the shank of said head meinber, und a tubular fermle positioned around said end of the shaft und secured als its one end to the end of the shank of said' headmember, the outer end of said ferrule fitting loosely and engageably around said shaft to reinforce the Same at n distance fromthe end positioned in said hoad member, said fen-ula being reoessod at its interior inwardly from its outer ond to provide clearance for sicl shaft when subjected to bending stresses.

11. In a golf club, a head member provided with a socket und With a, shaft. tl1e latter being secured at its one end within tl1e inner portion of the sooket, the portion of tl1e Sl1aft near the outer end of said socket being freely movable within and relative to und about the outer end portion of said socket to prevent buckling of saicl shaft at the outer end of the socket.

12. In a golf club, a head member provided With a socket and with a shaft, the latter being, securod at its one end within the inner portion of the socket, the bore at the outer end of said socket boing outwardlv divergont forming a fulcrum about which said shaft is flexed Ion 'tudinally wheu striking a ball with the go f club.

13. A fetrule for reinforcing the shaft oonnection of a golf olub to tl1e head thereof comprising a lonp; sleeve, the outer end of the bore thereof, through which the shaft is adapted to extend, being outwardly divergent. to serve as a fulcrum for the longitudinal bending of said shaft relative to said ferrule.

14. A ferrule for reinforoing tl1e shnft connection of a. golf club to the head thereof. oomprising a long sleeve, the outer end of the bom thereof, throuqh whicl1 tho shaft is adapted to extend, being outwardly divergent, and the ortion of the bore posi tioued inwardly rom said divergent portion being under cut 110 permit longitudinal bending of the shnft within the ferrule.

15. In a golf club, a head momber provided with a long ferrule, und a metallic shaft extending with its one end in said ferrule und sccured at said end therein, tho interior of said ferrule, near the outer end thereof, heilig provided with a piyot porwardly from its unter end being undercut rion adapted to serve as a fulcrum for said to profide clearance for the flex1on of said 10 sl1aft. shaft within the ferrule.

16. In a golf club, a head member pro- In testimony Whel'0f, I have hereunto set vided with a ferrule, and a metallic shaf't my hand at Los Angeles, California this extending With its one end in said ferrule 4th day 0f October 1926. und secured at said' end therein, the portion o f the bore 0f the ferrule' positioned in- GEORGE E. BARNHART.

thereof, being provided with a piyot porwardly from its outer end being undercut tion adapted to serve as a fulcrum f0r said to provide dearance f0r ehe flex1on of said 10 shaft. shaft within the ferrule.

16. In a golf club a heud member pro- In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set vided with a ferrule, and a metallic shaft my band at Los Angeles, California this oxtending with its one end in said ferrule 4th day of October 1926. und sccured ab said end therein, the portion of the bete 0f the felrule positioned in- GEORGE E. BARNHART.

DISOL.AIMER 1, 639. 547.Ge0rge E. Bamlmr Pasadena, Ca1if. GOLF CLUB. Patent duted August 16, 1927. Dxsela1mer filed August 8, 1936, by the patentee.

Heroby enters this disclaimer t0 claims 11 a.nd 12 of ad L bt [Oficial Gazette September I, 1936] S 1 ers Patent DISCLAIM ER l, 639. 547:-Ge07gc E. Barnhart, Pasadena, Cnlif. GOLF CLU1L Patent d:mtod

August 16, 1927. Disclaimer filed August 8, 1.936, by the pflLm1bee.

Hcreby cnters this disclaimer 120 claims 11 and 12 of said LOLtrs Patent.

[Oj/icial Gazette September I, 1.936] 

